ARTSdiningentertainment
Photos by Andrew Lightman
Susan Jacobs
An Eastern Market Potter Turns Disaster into Opportunity
by Pattie Cinelli
T
he media saturated the city with stories on the destruction of Eastern Market by fire this past spring. The city and community were swift in coming to the aid of the vendors housed in the gutted building. But not much notice was taken of the business that had made its home in the second floor of the market for 40 years. Eastern Market Pottery was destroyed, pisplacing potters and students, and obliterating equipment and inventory. The business did receive money from the city and support from the community, but relocating was up to those who livelihood was most at stake. Eastern Market Pottery owner Chuck Brome and full-time potter Susan Jacobs combed the area looking for an appropriate location for the business. “Thank God the fire happened in good weather,” said Susan. “Wandering around the Hill was an adventure. I saw parts of the Hill I didn’t know existed.” It’s hard to believe that there is any part of Capitol Hill with which Susan was not familiar. Most days, Susan, who does not own a car, walks miles around the Hill. She’s lived in the same
86 ★ HillRag |January 2008
apartment a few blocks from the Market since 1969 and been a full time potter there since 1973. “I love making pots.” Susan walked every day to her job, so when Eastern Market was gone, Susan expanded her perimeter seeking a new home for her trade. “It was serendipitous that I found the studio at 320 3rd St., NE. I saw a “For Rent” sign on the studio, but there was no phone number. I made a mental note to try to find out about it.” A few days later, a friend of another potter told her about a studio just vacated by a rock band in an alley in Northeast that was for rent. She gave Susan the number, which turned out to be for the smae place Susan saw. “It’s a great location, but very different from being at Eastern Market. People wear suits and heels in this neighborhood. Around the market you don’t see that as much.” When I talked to Susan in her new space, her attitude was amazingly positive for a person whose entire inventory of work was wiped out overnight. She quoted Oscar Wilde, “In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” Susan said she used to daydream about selling all of her pots and
having to create anew. “And that’s what happened,” she smiled. “I won’t ask for that again.” She’s had to start from scratch with unfamiliar equipment and materials. She now fires her pots in a new electric kiln (the one at the Market was gas), she uses a new kind of clay, which throws differently, and experiments with new glazes. “I liked my other glazes and we had a wonderful kiln that I used for years, but sometimes you need a kick in the pants. I didn’t ask for it, but appreciate it when it happens.” When Susan used the old kiln she would look at how it was heating the pots and altered the temperature by her judgment. “I fired it by the seat of my pants. Now I program a computer and it does all the work.” The pots she throws are similar but, because of the different materials, she finds herself doing her work a little differently. For example, Susan’s pots are smaller but still are functional – pottery that you can use. “In many ways it’s exciting. I’m having a good time.” Although she misses the Market, she enjoys exploring the new neighborhood. She often walks to the National Gallery, Union Station or Litteris near Gallaudet University for lunch. She still sells at the Market on weekends.
Susan didn’t start out wanting to be a potter. She studied English in college and was a child welfare worker for the city of New York in the sixties. When wanderlust struck, Susan quit her job and traveled across country camping out in Canada. “When my money ran out, I came to Washington to visit my college roommate. I got a job and took up roots.” She first got her hands wet throwing pots when she was working at the National Gallery of Art in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. She took lessons from a woman with whom she worked and continued her lessons at Eastern Market Pottery for two more years. “When Chuck asked me to be his apprentice, I took the leap, quit my job and never looked back.” In those days apprentices didn’t get paid. “I got my space and materials for free. I worked mixing glazes, making tools – anything Chuck needed. Whatever I made and sold was mine.” Susan laughed. I’ve been lucky to have generous family and friends who supported me in many ways. I think they thought I would starve.” Susan often works seven days a week and teaches a pottery class in the studio on Wednesday evenings. She appreciates having her own hours and her alone time but said she misses the camaraderie of knowing everyone at the Market. Susan Jacobs faced a real challenge and has come out of it ahead. After 35 years of doing the same thing, at the same place in the same way, she has been able to reinvent herself, adjust to a change of scene and create a new direction in her work. “I’m really enjoying it as much as I ever did. It’s nice having something new.” Classes at Eastern Market Pottery are ongoing and are offered Monday through Thursday evenings. A weekday afternoon class is possible depending on interest. For more information call: 202-544-6669. ■
COME JOIN US FOR LUNCH
CHECK OUT OUR DELICIOUS DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS DINE ON OUR HEATED PATIO
TUNNICLIFF’S TAVERN
The Gathering Place On The Hill…
Right next to Eastern Market Metro across from Eastern Market
Tunnicliff’s Tavern 222 7th Street SE Washington, D.C. 20003 Sandy Irvin: 202-544-5680 Phone: 202-544-5680 • Fax: 202-544-9630 Email: tunnicliffs@gmail.com
capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 87